Sentence Structure Review (APEX)

Sentence Structure Review (APEX)

Coordinating Conjunctions

• The coordinating conjunctions are FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO

• If a coordinating conjunction is combining two independent clauses, you must use a comma BEFORE the coordinating conjunction.

  Example: I think you would enjoy the party, but I don't mind if you want to stay here.

• Are used to combine two independent clauses to create a compound sentence

Subordinating Conjunctions

• Examples of subordinating conjunctions: after, although, because, before, when, until, since, while, once (and many more)

• Are used to create complex sentences

• Are used to link a dependent clause to an independent clause

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a coordinating conjunction?

• and

• but

• so

• on

Multiple Select

Which of the following ARE subordinating conjunctions?

• when

• since

• because

• after

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a comma and a coordinating conjunction correctly to separate two independent clauses?

• My brother is in the play so, I want to attend the first performance.

• Connie might go to the library but she, might stay home.

• All of a sudden, the dog started barking at the window.

• I'm not really hungry, but that apple pie looks delicious.

Multiple Choice

Which revision is needed to correct the following sentence? Can you help me carry these books or, are you busy right now?

• Move the comma after the word books.

• Move the comma after the word you.

• Add a comma after the word busy.

• Add a comma after the word me.

Coordinating Adjectives

• appear in sequence to describe the same noun

• How to tell if adjectives are coordinating: try placing the word and in between them. If the sentence still makes sense, you need a comma between the adjectives.

• Example: We were bored by the long, tedious presentation. We were bored by the long AND tedious presentation. (Still makes sense, so you need a comma).

• I love your new five-speed bike. I love your new AND five-speed bike. (Does not still make sense, no no comma)

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a comma correctly to set off coordinating adjectives?

• The rusty creaky tractor, rotted away in the backyard.

• We went down the long, dirt road.

• The mighty winter storm, howled through the night.

• The quiet, respectful class listened to the guest speaker.

Appositive Phrases

• Identify or further explain the noun that comes IMMEDIATELY before or after it in a sentence.s

• Set off by a comma

• Examples: Paul Newman, the famous American actor, directed five motion pictures. The famous American director, Paul Newman directed five motion pictures.

Multiple Select

Which revision is needed to correct the following sentence? Paul Revere who was a silversmith and soldier is famous for his "midnight ride".

• Add a comma after the word silversmith.

• Add a comma after the word Revere.

• Add a comma after the word soldier.

• Add a comma after the word famous.

Adjectival Phrase

• a prepositional phrase that modifies (gives extra information about) nouns or pronouns

• Example: The girl with the long dark hair winked at me.

• Not sure if it's a prepositional phrase or a noun/pronoun? Google it!

Adverbial Phrase

• a prepositional phrase that modifies (gives extra information about) verbs, adjectives, or adverbs

• Example: Billy sat in the front of the class and waited for class to start.

• Not sure if it's a verb, adjective, adverb or preposition? Google it!

Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses an adverbial phase?

• We sat under the tree and ate our lunches.

• After class, we ate our lunches together.

• Tired and hungry, we ate lunch together.

• We ate our lunches quickly after class.

Complex Sentence

• Emphasizes the importance of one idea over another

• Uses a subordinating conjunction to combine a dependent clause and an independent clause.

• Examples of subordinating conjunctions: since, although, after, before

• Not sure if it's a subordinating conjunction? Google it!

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is best structured to emphasize the importance of one idea over another?

• Since it was supposed to rain today, we made sure we brought umbrellas with us.

• We knew it was supposed to rain today, but we all forgot to grab umbrellas before we left.

• It is probably going to rain sometime today.

• Since it is supposed to rain today, we grabbed an umbrella, but we misplaced it at some point during the day.

Compound-Complex Sentence

• Combines ideas of equal importance when they include at lease one unequal element

• Includes both a subordinating conjunction and a coordinating conjunction

• Coordinating conjunctions: and, or, nor, but, yet, so, for

• Examples of subordinating conjunctions: since, although, after, because, before

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is best structured to combine ideas of equal importance when they include at least one unequal element?

• Since it was supposed to rain today, we made sure we brought umbrellas with us.

• We knew it was supposed to rain today, but we all forgot to grab umbrellas before we left.

• It is probably going to rain sometime today.

• Since it is supposed to rain today, we grabbed an umbrella, but we misplaced it at some point during the day.